Media Contacts:
Dr. Robert Bardon, 919/515-5575
Mick Kulikowski, 919/515-3470

Oct. 9, 2002

Rain Could Squelch Vibrancy of Fall Colors, NC State Expert Says

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Conditions are ripe for an exceptional show of color from North Carolina trees and foliage.

Dr. Robert Bardon, associate professor of forestry and extension forestry specialist at North Carolina State University, says the drought will impact fall color this year, but the extent of the impact is hard to predict.

Scientists have long known that drought can cause foliage to wilt and turn colors earlier than normal. But while drought plays a key role, the weather during the next two weeks will ultimately determine the vibrancy of colors this fall, Bardon says.

"What really impacts colors is the weather right at the beginning of fall. If we have a wet beginning of fall, then the colors will be less vibrant," Bardon said.

During the spring and summer months, leaves make the food they need to grow. They do that in cells that contain the pigment chlorophyll, which give the leaves their green color.

In the fall, when the days get shorter and cooler, the leaves stop making food. The green color disappears and yellow colors surface. Other pigments begin to form as well, producing the reds and purples of the dogwoods and sumacs.

We get our best fall colors when we have sunny days ending in cool - but not freezing cold - nights of about 45-50 degrees, Bardon says.

He believes it might be too early to accurately predict, but he suspects the upcoming color display will be spectacular.

Bardon's prime fall foliage viewing spots include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Rendezvous Mountain State Park in Wilkes County and Pilot Mountain, north of Winston-Salem.

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